B.A.D Levers, yea or nay?

[silicosys4]

I don't like them.
I did install Geissele extended bolt catched though.

One reason people don't like them.

I Told You This was a BAD Idea

Unfortunately, in a recent bulk update most of our descriptions were wiped out. If this video is impacted by this occurrence and a link or code is missing pl...

youtu.be

Ok. I watched long enough to see the guy jerk his finger back against the trigger when releasing the bolt via BAD then complained when the gun fired. Yea. You pulled the trigger.
That's not how you use the BAD. If you are going to yank backwards against the BAD, clearly against its range of function that uses a downwards movement to engage, then complain when your errant finger hits the trigger, that's not a problem with the BAD, that's operator error and poor trigger discipline.
I don't believe that video is anything more than clickbait. Its clear that they were TRYING to make the BAD malfunction by using it incorrectly.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have one on an AR set up for F class. What with the OAL of a 90 gr spitzer, it is pretty much a self cocking single shot. The lever lets me load off a "sled" with minimum disturbance of my position, prone on a bipod.

 

[TonyAngel]

Hit magazine release, magazine drops free to the ground, grab new magazine with thumb flagged out insert to full stop and thumb lands right on bolt release. This is SOP for training to use an AR. Can't get faster than that on a magazine change and dropping the bolt.

Ok, I see your point. I don't drop my magazines on the ground. I don't have an endless supply of them.

 

[shootstraight57]

I guess it is personal preference. I have them on all my AR'a and have had them on for 2 years now. Once you get pro efficient at using them there is no going back. I love them but that is my own opinion .

 

[HKGuns]

Nope, for me it is a solution to a non problem. Even for lefty's, there is nothing difficult about using the controls as designed. I find it somewhat Ironic it is aptly called the BAD lever.

 

[DustyGmt]

If you put it on your rifle and treat it like it's a part of the rifle and actually train with it, I think that many who discount it may come to appreciate it.

Exactly. If Eugene Stoner designed the bolt catch this way, and it was integral to the bolt stop from the beginning, I doubt anybody would modify their weapons to have a simple bolt catch/release like they have now. They would think it was sacrilegious to take away a function, and you can bet CA compliant rifles would be neutered.

 

[trackskippy]

Of course, its all personal preference, and do what you feel best for you, but the only way to actually know what they are, is to put one on and spend some time with it and figure it out.

And just because the military follows the LCD rule of training doesn't mean there isn't something, or some better way out there to do things. The Russians used to follow LCD and teach only one way to reload an AK, and it just happens to be the surest way to induce a very nasty mag malfunction, especially in a stressful situation, that disables the gun. But, it is the simplest way to teach doing the reload to those who wont likely go beyond that level of learning.

Im not one that normally adds a lot of do-dads to my guns. I like things simple and functional. I find the lever fits that bill and doesn't complicate things at all.

 

[BreechFace]

I have one on an AR set up for F class. What with the OAL of a 90 gr spitzer, it is pretty much a self cocking single shot. The lever lets me load off a "sled" with minimum disturbance of my position, prone on a bipod.

Sounds like a good use for one.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I think the problem with them is that they seemed like a genius solution to a problem few of us were actually having. Sure, it might make things a bit more convenient, but convenience wasn't a problem most of us were having. Then, there are those who find it useful. So this wasn't a solution looking for a problem, but a solution to a problem only a few of us really have and the convenience factor really didn't do much for most of us, and so commercially, this isn't a long term viable product.

 

[Laphroaig]

I have one on an AR set up for F class. What with the OAL of a 90 gr spitzer, it is pretty much a self cocking single shot. The lever lets me load off a "sled" with minimum disturbance of my position, prone on a bipod.

Similar for me when shooting my optic sighted Service Rifle prone with a sling. Either single loading or rapid fire, your left hand is pinned to the stock with the sling and the optic prevents reaching over the top with my right hand.

I started with the Magpul version, and my rifle stopped locking back with an empty mag. It took me a while to figure out the the added inertia of the BAD lever was the cause. BTW that rifle throws the empties to 1:30 so using that as the metric it is over gassed and the bolt catch was replaced to rule that out. I guess it is only me since no one else posted to that being a problem for them.

I now use one of these. It floats on the bolt release so isn't adding any extra mass into the system.

Trigger Guard Bolt Release

Trigger Guard Bolt Release This is an extended bolt release lever allowing right handed shooters to release the bolt catch without having to reach over the top of the AR-15 to close the action. This design is a very simple piggy-back of a rugged light-weight Delrin lever that uses a longer...

www.creedmoorsports.com

 

[Old Dog]

I've been following this thread since it started, wanted to see others' reactions because we do have a number of THR members who've used the AR platform in real life (military, law enforcement).

I don't know when the BAD lever got started, but I left active duty at the end of '05 and had never seen one on a military rifle.

In '07 when I first started on a tactical team, we had a squad leader transfer in who had one on his M4, so naturally, several of the guys got 'em. Within a few months, I think, everyone had taken them off their rifles.

I tried one out for a little while through some pretty intensive carbine training and a couple carbine courses. I never used the doggone thing. Too many years of training with just the issue bolt catch/release.

Watched a lot of 3-gun competition, don't recall even noticing the lever on any rifles... Hmm.

 

[Pat Riot]

The BAD is just like so many other add-ons or mods for ARs, pistols, rifles, etc. Some people like them, some don’t.

 

[Old Dog]

Not trying to tick anyone off (the fans here of the BAD lever) but to me, it's just up there with vertical foregrips on ARs, full-length guide rods on 1911s, front cocking serrations on semi-auto pistols...

And just because the military follows the LCD rule of training doesn't mean there isn't something, or some better way out there to do things.

Counter-point: the military does NOT follow the "LCD rule of training." It's called "evidence based processes." Please, no further equating whatever the F the Russians do/did when teaching the AK, believe it or not, we've been better than that for a long, long time.

 

[shafter]

May be useful in competition, I don't know, but in the real world no one who knows anything uses them.

 

[Charlie98]

Shouldn't that be B-BAD (theme song by George Thorogood)?

I wonder if anyone has ever broken one... that would be Breaking BAD. Just saying.

 

[herrwalther]

I have gone back annd forth on BAD levers for years. Sometimes my rifles will have them, sometimes not. They do make it easier to lock the bolt to the rear from a shooting grip. And to release the bolt from the shooting hand instead of my support hand. The neuropathy in my left hand apprectiates not flexing into the beer bottle grip during an AR reload. In the long run, I can take them or leave them. But for 20 bucks they are easily one of the cheapest AR accessories to fool around with in finding what a new shooter likes and doesn't.